Claudine Williams, known as Granny to many, age 87, of Brownfield, Texas was called to heaven on Friday, July 13, 2007.
Mona Claudine Cunningham was born on June 12, 1920, to parents William and Sallie Cunningham in Terry County. She grew up in Terry County where she met and married the love of her life, A. B. Williams. They were married December 13, 1937, at the Methodist Chapel in Brownfield.
After several years of marriage, Claudine and A.B. moved to California and A.B. worked in the vineyards for a short time. Loretta Roberts, their oldest daughter, was born in California in 1939. They moved to Utopia, Texas and started ranching, where their son, Don Williams, was born in 1942. Shortly after, A.B. went into the army and Claudine ran a laundromat during that time. Their youngest daughter, Sharion Stephens, was born in 1950 in Hondo, Texas.
In the early 1950's, they moved to Gaines County to farm. Claudine supplemented their income by working in the Dotty Dan Clothing Factory in Lamesa. They later moved to Yoakum County and farmed there for thirty two years. The family attended Tokio Baptist Church, where Claudine participated in WMU, VBS and many other activities.
Claudine had a passion for vegetable gardening and flowers. Each year she would can vegetables and fruit, making jellies and cobblers that would make your mouth water. She was a great cook and passed this love to her children. Granny, as she was known by everyone in her later years, loved to crochet and quilt. She made afghans and quilts for graduation, wedding and Christmas gifts. Her work ethic and love for the Lord was a heritage she passed on to her family. Each night as they went to bed, you could hear Claudine and A.B. praying for each member of their family, one by one.
In 1969, Claudine went to work for Plains ISD where she worked in the cafeteria for eleven years. In 1970, A.B. started Sunny Side Hog farm. Claudine was right by his side helping with the baby pigs or hauling cotton to the gin. She was a devoted wife and helpmate. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1987 with a church wedding, reception, wedding cake and a quilt of remembrances cross stitched by the family.
In 1987, they sold the farm to Dale and Cecelia Knight of Plains, Texas and moved to Welch in Dawson County, Texas. Claudine taught Sunday School at Welch Baptist Church and after the death of her husband in 1994 she moved to Cottage Village in Brownfield. There she enjoyed her Sunday School class at Calvary Baptist Church, the monthly birthday lunches, visiting with her friends at XYZ and doing monthly crafts with her Sunday School buddies. Her favorite activity was attending Sunday School and church and having lunch at Dairy Queen with her friends. Granny enjoyed family reunions in Utopia, Texas and singing hymns.
She is survived by two daughters, one son and their spouses including Loretta and Joe Roberts of Welch, Texas; Don and Neoma Williams of Hart, Texas; and Sharion and Russ Stephens of Lubbock, Texas. She has nine grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.
Visitation will take place on Sunday, July 15, 2007, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Brownfield Funeral Home.
Funeral services for Claudine Williams will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, July 16, 2007, at Calvary Baptist Church in Brownfield. Pastor Steve Carter will be officiating. Burial will follow at Terry County Cemetery with Brownfield Funeral Home directing.
The family requests that memorials be made to Cottage Village and Calvary Baptist Church in Brownfield.
